Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Property Tax Measure 50 topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Keizer officials call for state discussion on Measure 50 assessed-value formula after presentation shows wide disparities
Summary
Task force members and staff discussed how Oregon’s Measure 50 and the change-of-property-ratio mechanics produce large disparities in assessed values between older and newer homes; councilmembers urged state-level discussions and noted effects on housing affordability and municipal revenues.
During the March 10 Long Range Planning Task Force meeting, staff and council members opened a wide-ranging discussion about the effects of Oregon’s Measure 50 and related assessed-value formulas on local tax equity.
Assistant City Manager Tim Wood summarized how Measure 50 and the change property ratio work: assessed values are limited and increase by a maximum 3% annually except for new construction, and new construction is assigned assessed value in ways that can result in much lower property-tax bills for newer homes compared with long-held parcels. Wood used examples from Keizer showing similarly priced homes with different assessed values and noted apartment complexes can be assessed at a much lower share of market value.
Why it matters: Council members said the disparity affects mortgage affordability and neighborhood differences in tax burden. Wood and councilors said some urban areas’ property tax outcomes have diverged substantially since Measure 50 (1997) and Measure 5 (1990), and that changing the formula would require legislative action and careful protections for longtime owners.
Council remarks and next steps
Councilors and staff described the issue as complex, statewide and long-standing; they recommended participating in conversations with the League of Oregon Cities and Association of Oregon Counties and urged a legislative discussion that would consider gradual approaches rather than abrupt tax resets. Councilor Christopher and others asked staff to monitor and participate in statewide conversations and lobbying efforts.
Ending
Staff pointed the task force to existing League of Oregon Cities resources explaining Measure 50 and said the city will follow and engage in statewide conversations on possible reforms.
